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Route through Madrid of the Borbons – TRYP Madrid Gran Vía

Welcome to my Madrid!

My name is Marina, and I am the culture expert at the TRYP Gran Via, and I will suggest a tour through the Madrid of the Bourbons.

It was during the dynasty of the Bourbons, specially the reign of Carlos III, the "Mayor King", when the city’s urban and monumental layout was completed. On this tour, as well as the beautiful architecture of Paseo del Prado, you will discover the tour of art with the world famous museums: The Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum

TOUR THROUGH THE MADRID OF THE BOURBONS –ART TOUR

Cibeles fountain

Located at the junction of Calle de Alcalá with Paseo del Prado, representing the goddess of nature. It points the way to the main arteries of the city. The Cibeles also has its playful aspect in the world of sport as it is the centre of celebration of Real Madrid fans and the Spanish national football team. In the square is the Bank of Spain building, the Telecommunications Palace, now the seat of the City Hall of Madrid, the Palacio de Linares and the Buenavista Palace, home to the Army Headquarters.

Puerta de Alcalá

This is, alongside a few other monuments, the symbol of the city of Madrid. Not only does it have historic importance and beauty, but it is the centre of the capital, next to Parque del Retiro. It is the most representative monument of the city’s renovation process (1778) during the resign of Carlos III and marks the entry of the king into the city of Madrid. Located in the Plaza de la Independencia, from here there is access to the Parque del Retiro.

Retiro Park

Or the "lungs of the city" and one of the most pleasant spaces in Madrid. It has countless statues, fountains and memorials populating the gardens and has become an outdoor sculpture museum. Worth highlighting is the fountain of the Fallen Angel, whose main statue represents the devil. The park has magnificent gardens, a lake where it is traditional to rent rowing boats, and several palaces. Be sure to stop at the Crystal Palace, where you will find a charming spot next to its small artificial lake. Open from 6am to midnight in summer and 6am to 10pm in winter.

Plaza de Neptuno

Located in Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo. The area is surrounded by magnificent buildings, the majority from the 18th and 19th centuries. Here we can see the Villahermosa Palace, current location of the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, the Ritz and Palace hotels and a little further up the Congress of MPs.

Thyssen Bornemisza Museum

With a large exhibition of paintings collected since 1920 by the Thyssen barons. It is housed in the 18th Palace of Villahermosa. With three floors, the museum traces the history of Western art from the thirteenth to the twentieth century. Open from 10am to 7pm. Closed on Mondays. Admission: 9 €.

Prado Museum

Housing one of the most important collections of art in the world. It is essential you visit the space dedicated to Velazquez, as the museum has an extraordinary collection of his work, including "Las Meninas" and the rooms devoted to Goya, a painter who revolutionized Spanish art in the eighteenth century. Open from 10am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 7pm on Sunday and bank holidays. Admission: 12 €.

San Jerónimo el Real Church

Popularly known as "The Jerónimos". It is located just behind the Prado Museum. It is a Gothic church and was restored in the nineteenth century. This church is often the scene of Madrilenian high society weddings, including that of King Alfonso XIII, and was the location of the coronation of King Juan Carlos I.

Botanical Garden

Located next to the Prado Museum. Right in the centre of Madrid there is a place where you can still enjoy nature and some peace and quiet. The Royal Botanical Gardens is full of beautiful areas, which provide more than two centuries of history, ideal for just getting “lost” and for enjoying a pleasant evening. Open from 10am to 9pm in summer and to 7pm in winter. Admission: 2.5 €.

Reina Sofia National Art Centre

A great museum of contemporary art. The permanent collection contains works by major twentieth-century artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Miró and Chillida and sections devoted to avant-garde movements, such as pop art and minimalism. The main attraction of the museum is "Guernica" by Picasso. Open from 10am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday, and until 14:30pm on Sundays. Admission: 6 €.

There is a combined pass to visit all three museums for the price of 21.60 €.

WHERE TO EAT

Restaurant El Brillante

The most typical thing to try is the squid baguette or a hot chocolate with churros

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